Cornerstone caters to more than Mercyhurst students

By Scott McClellandContributing writer

December 6, 2012 12:46 PM

By Scott McClellandContributing writer

December 6, 2012 12:46 PM

QUICK SIPs

Cornerstone Bar & Grill

What to know: 809 E. 38th St. 825-3700. www.cornerstonebar.com. Hours: Daily, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Kitchen hours, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. What's special: Happy Hour daily, 5 to 7 p.m. Drink specials change each day. Late-night drink offers each night from 10 p.m. to midnight. Sundays feature $4 Bud Light pitchers all day, and 10 jumbo wings for $5.99. What's cool: Be sure to check out the top of the bar at the Cornerstone. Mercyhurst University sports team stickers, representing every team on campus, are lacquered into its surface. Score one for the home team!

DRINK OF THE WEEKThe ChameleonIn a pint glass with ice pour:- 1/2 ounce each vodka, rum, gin and triple sec- Add a splash of blue curacaoTop off with a can of Red Bull.

The Chameleon may have you changing colors after a couple of sips. It's essentially a Long Island Iced Tea with a Hawaiian twist and a Red Bull kick.

-- Scott McClelland

The Cornerstone Bar & Grill makes its home at the corner of 38th Street and Pine Avenue, just a stone's throw from the Mercyhurst University campus.

While the bar caters to a college crowd in the evening, it's much more than a college bar to the upper eastside neighborhood that it serves.

The Cornerstone has been in business for 10 years. During that period the bar has built its reputation on a comfortable atmosphere, fair prices and excellent food.

Co-owners Jim and Jeff Sturm, both graduates of Mercyhurst, are pleased with the broad customer base they've developed.

"During the day we have more of a family-oriented crowd," observed Jeff Sturm. "Parents and grandparents come in with their kids for lunch or dinner. Later, after eight or nine o'clock, the college kids start to filter in and we're usually pretty busy until closing time."

The gray stone exterior of the bar perfectly suits its name. A generous parking lot leaves no worries about trying to find a spot for your car.

Inside you'll find newly installed stonework in the entryway and around the base of the large U-shaped bar that's in the center of Cornerstone's spacious, open-air design.

Hardwood floors provide a sturdy foundation under tall, vaulted ceilings that leave plenty of room to showcase a decorative display of Mercyhurst University jerseys and sports memorabilia.

More than a dozen booths are in the bar, and the dining area features solid oak tables and chairs that will accommodate large-scale parties.

Looking for privacy? Look downstairs. The basement is an exclusive party room with a private bar, a projection screen and seating for 55.

"We offer the downstairs free of charge for things like alumni and graduation events," said Jeff Sturm. "It's also used for after-game celebrations, and we set up a buffet down there for away teams who need to grab a meal before their games at Mercyhurst."

The vast menu still offers favorites like homemade Shepherd's Pie. And you could say newer selections, such as the giant Cuban Reuben (barbecued pulled pork and ham topped with coleslaw and Swiss cheese), are becoming menu cornerstones.

QUICK SIPs

Cornerstone Bar & Grill

What to know: 809 E. 38th St. 825-3700. www.cornerstonebar.com. Hours: Daily, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Kitchen hours, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. What's special: Happy Hour daily, 5 to 7 p.m. Drink specials change each day. Late-night drink offers each night from 10 p.m. to midnight. Sundays feature $4 Bud Light pitchers all day, and 10 jumbo wings for $5.99. What's cool: Be sure to check out the top of the bar at the Cornerstone. Mercyhurst University sports team stickers, representing every team on campus, are lacquered into its surface. Score one for the home team!

DRINK OF THE WEEKThe ChameleonIn a pint glass with ice pour:- 1/2 ounce each vodka, rum, gin and triple sec- Add a splash of blue curacaoTop off with a can of Red Bull.

The Chameleon may have you changing colors after a couple of sips. It's essentially a Long Island Iced Tea with a Hawaiian twist and a Red Bull kick.